March 13, 2008

Maple Leaf to bolster hog production despite government's moratorium on expansion
 

Maple Leaf has no intention to stop its plans of bolstering hog production at its Brandon-Manitoba plant despite that the Manitoba government has maintained a moratorium on the expansion and establishment of hog barns in three regions in the province, according to Maple Leaf.

Maple Leaf is not expecting any problems in sourcing hogs for its facility in Brandon, according to Jeanette Jones, director of communications for Maple Leaf, adding that the company is currently very happy with their hog sourcing from Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Jones confirmed that the company would move to a full second shift to boost weekly hog slaughter rate to 86,000 heads from 75,000 heads in 2009, when improvements at Brandon's waste water treatment plant are completed.

Jones also asserted that the company has sufficient supply of hogs that will support the double shift expansion.

The Manitoba government had announced the maintaining of the moratorium on March 3, 2008. The moratorium was meant to protect water sources and ensure long-term environmental sustainability of the hog industry.